2018 New Zealand Schools

[Stargazer]

This would have been a much easier kick, but they opt to go for the line-out. Oh, and it's close, but our TH prop ends up in touch.

[Stargazer]

Aussie line-out not straight and we get a scrum close to the Aussie try line. Aussies give away a penalty and it's another scrum.

[Stargazer]

Try Saula Mau under the sticks!

Reihana converts the try. 7-0 NZ

[Stargazer]

Both teams under a warning for backchat and "helping the ref" officiate.

Game is now mostly played in the NZ half. Not what we'd like to see.

[Stargazer]

Pfew, Aussies knock on close to the NZ try line.

[Stargazer]

God, I hate it when all backs come running to the pack to pat them on the back or head after a won scrum.

[KiwiMurph]

@stargazer showing team spirit....how dare they....

[antipodean]

Good reversal of the penalty.

[Stargazer]

@kiwimurph Haha, yeah, well there are other ways ...

[Stargazer]

Half time already. That went fast. Only 7 - 0 to NZ.

[98blueandgold]

Nz tight 5 really dominating game but Aussie hanging in there with poor NZ ball control. NZ halves need to control game better, slow it down.
Our biggest issue however is attitude, got the Reiko syndrome at mo, all talk and not backing up, almost cost us at end of half. That attitude is playing into Aussie hands.

[Bovidae]

@98blueandgold Yep, Funaki's kicking has been poor.

[KiwiMurph]

This game is pretty shit.

[Stargazer]

Yes, finally. Try Reihana!

[Stargazer]

To think that the Aussie Schools WTG was already picked mid July, and then trimmed back late August, the Aussies have had much more time to prepare for these games than NZ Schools. If NZ had had more time, no doubt they would have played better.

[98blueandgold]

Louie chapman has controlled game well since coming on, good kicking!!!

[antipodean]

@stargazer I wouldn't confuse how long they've been picked with how often they've been able to train. The big difference between these two teams is in the tight five and the fullback.

[Stargazer]

Try to the Aussies after a line-out maul.

19-7 NZ

[Stargazer]

@antipodean I didn't say they had all that time to train together. But I assume they had some trials or training together. How else would they have trimmed the team between mid-July and late August.

[Stargazer]

Try Australia.

19 - 12 NZ.